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Ahead of former President Donald Trump’s major speech tonight, the speaker’s schedule seeks to show a softer, friendlier side of Trump than he was as president and on the campaign trail.
Several employees at Trump Golf Properties have spoken about his character, such as John Nieporte, the head golf pro at Trump International Golf Club in Florida.
“For 25 years, I witnessed firsthand his generosity and extraordinary character,” Nipot said. “He could have chosen a quiet life. He could have played more golf, but he cared so much about America and our people that he just kept working and he did it for us.”
The lineup ahead of Trump’s nomination acceptance speech also largely avoided overshadowing the former president’s momentous moment.
Trump’s speech tonight is expected to be softer and more focused on unity than his typical campaign tone this year. The speeches painted a dire picture of the country, often attacking President Biden and Democrats and using harsh language for his opponents.
As attempts are made to change the tone during this week’s convention, a majority of Americans do not believe Trump has the character to be president, according to an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll.
WWE executive turned small business administrator Linda McMahon calls Trump a fighter
Linda McMahon, who served as administrator of Trump’s Small Business Administration, spoke from her perspective as a colleague, employee and friend of the former president.
McMahon spent decades as a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) executive alongside her husband, Vince, before running unsuccessfully for a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut in 2009 and 2010.
She served as Trump’s small business administrator from 2017 to 2019, before resigning and joining America First Action, a pro-Trump super PAC. She introduced herself on stage as the president of the America First Policy Institute, which was founded in 2021 by a former Trump adviser.
McMahon opened with what she said was “probably not a typical Donald Trump story,” recalling her experience meeting Trump at Mar-a-Lago and watching a sweet interaction between him and his 4-year-old granddaughter.
“He kissed her on both cheeks, she took off her hat and tousled his hair, and he smiled with all the love a grandfather could give,” she said. A family-oriented (man).
McMahon said she first met Trump during her time in WWE, when he “was part of some of the most high-profile, highest-rated storylines in the history of the company.”
She said she was honored to serve on his cabinet at his invitation and recalled her experiences traveling the country speaking with business owners and job creators.
“They know they have a president who understands them and fights for them,” she said.
McMahon described Trump as a champion of job creation and “American workers’ best friend in the White House.” And, in true WWE style, she described him as “not only a fighter,” but “a good guy.”
“He has the heart of a lion and the soul of a warrior, and I believe he will stand at the gates of hell to defend our country if necessary,” she added.